The 69-year-old Arroyo, who is suffering from a neck ailment, finished her tumultuous nine-year term in 2010. She was arrested the following year on an election fraud charge, for which she was allowed to post bail.

Later charged with plunder, she was arrested in hospital while receiving treatment for a spinal condition and it was decided she could serve her detention there.

Despite her detention in hospital, she was re-elected as a member of Congress in May.

Of the 11 justices who voted for Arroyo's acquittal, eight were her appointees.

Raul Lambino, a lawyer for Arroyo, said the plunder case was the only remaining criminal charge against the former president.

"We hope that by today ... the [former] president will be able to go home to her residence," he said.

Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel, also welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, saying: "Thank God. They took away six years of her life - an innocent woman. We're very happy."